Impact of Inorganic Metal (Ag, Cu) Nanoparticles on the Quality of Seeds and Dried Rapeseed Sprouts

The present study focuses on the impact of copper and silver nanoparticles on the chemical composition and physical properties of rapeseeds and rape sprouts. The seeds and sprouts were obtained from winter rape grown in a three-year cultivation (2018–2020) treated with silver (AgNP) and copper (CuNP) nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of the freeze-drying temperature (20; 40; 60 °C) on selected properties of the sprouts was studied. Spraying growing plants with nanoparticles resulted, in most cases, and depending on the year, in a reduction in the mass of seeds (MTS) by 9.5% (single nanoparticles spray ×1 CuNP in 2018), an increase in the fat content (by 8.80% for ×1 CuNP in 2018), a reduction in the protein content (by 12.93% for ×1 CuNP in 2018) and flavonoid content (by up to 58% for ×1 AgNP and CuNP in 2018), as well as increase in the glucosinolates content by 25% (for double nanoparticles spray ×2 AgNP in 2019). For the sprouts obtained from the rapeseeds, in most cases, a decrease in the content of flavonoids was observed (26.68% for ×1 AgNP; 20 °C in 2018), depending on the year of cultivation, the nanoparticles used, and the drying temperature. The obtained results remain inconclusive, which encourages the authors to undertake further research.

Mathematical modeling and thermodynamic properties in the drying of citron watermelon seeds

ABSTRACT Citron watermelon is an agricultural product of excellent economic potential. Its seeds are widely used for oil extraction, serving as an energy source, showing nutritional characteristics that make them a suitable product to be studied. Thus, the objective was to characterize citron watermelon seeds regarding their physicochemical composition, in addition to determining drying kinetics, fitting mathematical models to the data, and determining the effective diffusivity coefficients and thermodynamic properties. The seeds were dried in a convective dryer, varying the drying temperature, with air velocity of 1.0 m s-1. With the increase in drying temperature, there were reductions in moisture content, water activity (aw), ash concentration, total titratable acidity, lipids and reducing sugar. Citron watermelon seeds are rich in lipids and ash, have low sugar concentration and low acidity; their drying kinetics was very well described by the Two Terms and Approximation of Diffusion models, followed by the models of Midilli and Page, which resulted in acceptable fits. Effective diffusivity accompanied the increase in drying temperature, and this behavior was well fitted by an Arrhenius-type equation. Enthalpy and entropy variations were reduced with drying temperature, with increments in Gibbs free energy.

Development of sublimation drying modes of rose hip fruits Freezing drying of rose hip

The aim of the study was the selection of effective modes of rosehip sublimation dehydration. An Iney-6M unit was used for freeze drying. The selection of the duration of the sublimation stage and the final drying temperature was carried out. At the same time, such indicators as the duration of drying, organoleptic assessment and the preservation of vitamin C were analyzed. The duration of freeze drying of rose hips with a period of sublimation of 4, 5, 6 and 7 hours was 6, 7, 8 and 8.5 hours, respectively. It was found that with a decrease in the duration of the sublimation stage, a decrease in the quality characteristics of dry rose hips is observed. It was found that when the drying temperature changes from 70 to 40 °C, the drying time increases from 6.5 to 9.5 hours. At the same time, the loss of vitamin C also decreases. Based on the research, the most favorable modes of sublimation dehydration of rose hips have been determined - the final drying temperature is 50 °C and the duration of the sublimation stage is 5 hours. Under these modes, the duration of lyophilization is 8 hours, the total organoleptic assessment is 18.25 points out of 20, and the preservation of vitamin C is 27%. Lyophilized rose hips can be used as an independent product, or ground into powder for adding to other products - confectionery, dairy, bakery products, as well as biologically active additives and functional food.

Effect of Particle Size and Transparent Solar Dryer Cover on the Proximate Analysis of Dried Onion

In this work, we investigate effect of particle size and transparent solar dryer cover on the proximate analysis of dried onion. A solar drying unit was developed and constructed for drying the of red onion slices in order to determine the proximate composition of fresh and dried red onion using multi-crop direct solar dryer. Also, the evaluation and effect of particles size and multi-crop transparent solar dryer cover on the proximate analysis of red onion during drying. Consequently, the higher efficiency of the solar collector was obtained at the higher airflow rate. The moisture content of dried onion slices was strongly affected by the thickness of the onion slices and the density of the polyethylene. The final moisture content of dried onion slices ranged from 10.85% to 13.01%, 4.95% to 6.01% ash, 4.69% to 5.26% fibre, 11.17% to 13.09% fat, 6.70% to 5.60% protein and 68.64% to 68.03% carbohydrate for particle sizes of 3 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm dry-basis depending on drying temperature cycle for low density polyethylene cover. While the final moisture content of dried onion slices ranged from 9.85% to 12.01%, 5.96% to 6.01% ash, 3.69% to 4.26% fibre, 13.17% to 12.09% fat, 5.70% to 6.60% protein and 61.64% to 58.03% carbohydrate for particle sizes of 3 mm, 5mm and 7mm dry-basis depending on drying temperature cycle for high density polyethylene cover.

Study of the influence of preparation parameters on sorption properties of porous collagen material

In this work, the dependences of the sorption properties of the porous polymeric materials prepared from the cross- linked collagen on their composition and process specifications were studied. The optimal concentration of glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent was 0.5 wt %, the mass ratio of fish and leather waste was 1:1, and the drying temperature was 25 °C. Sorbent samples prepared using optimal parameters were effective in the sorption of petroleum products.